Summer Movie Box-Office Attendance Declines
Summer movie attendance fell to the lowest level since 1997, while soaring ticket prices produced record revenue for Hollywood studios. "The movies just didn't excite people. When you raise prices and perceive that quality goes down, you have a major problem."

   Murdoch May Be Key to Apple's TV Show Plan
Rupert Murdoch is said to be ready to join Apple's pricing trial of 99-cent television show rentals because it could cement a relationship with CEO Steve Jobs and reap benefits for his newspapers. The iPad is a keystone in Murdoch's ambition to launch a national digital news product.

   News Corp: Fomer HP Chief to Leave Board
Mark Hurd, who stepped down as CEO of Hewlett-Packard after an inquiry into sexual harassment claims, will not be nominated for re-election to News Corp.'s board of directors. Hurd will no longer serve as a director after News Corp.'s Oct. 15 annual meeting.

   Disney Taps Radio Exec to Lead ABC Family
Disney is naming Michael Riley, the general manager of Radio Disney, as the new president of the ABC Family channel. Riley joined Disney two years ago from Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting. Riley succeeds Paul Lee, who was promoted last month to ABC entertainment president.